(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 2000
The controversy over the Allegan County United defunding Boy Scouts of America continues, as Gerry Hildebrand of Plainwell penned a letter to the editor accusing the agency of practicing discrimination. Dawn Shoemaker of Hopkins suggested the scouts were the victims of a few “rabble rousers.”
Another issue that doesn’t seem to go away is the prospect of a casino coming to this area at the behest of the Gun Lake Band of Potawatomis. Again — More letters and formation of pressure groups opposing the casino. Bill McMaster of Taxpayers United of Birmingham visited Dorr to make a presentation. He alleged that Dorr Township officials had been meeting behind closed doors, a charge they denied.
Some opponents oppose the casino in hopes of preserving the rural, quiet community that currently exists.
Membership in the Wayland Township Planning Commission was restored with the swearing in of new Supervisor Randy Marklevitz.
Wayland Area Emergency Services Director Bob Hess is asking for permission to do some restructuring of the WAEMS to make it more independent and charitable.
Daniel Dennis, band director for Plainwell Schools, died in a traffic crash on the U.S.-131 expressway after he lost control of his pickup truck on the freeway.
Robert and Patricia Senneker were granted rezoning of their property near Hidden Forest Estates from agricultural to single family residential.
Michigan State Police Trooper Schott Sholander was named the recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) life saving award.
Michigan State Police said the cause of death for a middle aged man found near the Ebersole Environmental Center was natural and agreed not to release the man’s name.
The lighting contest at Gun Lake has been terminated for the Christmas season, but the Holly Trolley will be available for rides.
The Hopkins basketball team held high-scoring John Freund of Byron Center to 20 points, 25 fewer than in the previous year’s encounter, but the Vikings still lost 80-55.
Allison Talsma and Katie Arms are the only returning letter winners for the Martin volleyball team for new coach Melissa Zylstra.
Coach Pete Boyd and his Martin wrestling team got off to a fast start by defeating seven opponents in two meets.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 9, 1975
A war-weary Vietnamese family now is making a new home in a farm house east of Martin. Father Tran Ngoc Tac and 12 other members of his family left their native land April 1 before the fall of Saigon. The East Martin Christian Reformed Church heeds the group settle in the community.
Cindy Nicolai has been selected the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizenship Award for Martin High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Nicolai of Shelbyville.
Jeff Tinsler, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Tinsler of Green Lake, was reported to have escaped injury in the collision of two ships, the John F. Kennedy and the U.S. epirrBelknap in the Mediterranean Sea Nov. 22. He was among those who effected repairs on the vessels.
The Wayland Board of Education is planning a special election to renew a millage of 6.8 mills. The levy expires at the end of 1975. The board also approved a request for $300 to buy swim suits for members of the newly-formed swim club.
Rural correspondent Rosemary Hitt of Hopkins Happenings quoted a young man’s letter: “It makes me cry to think that most of us have really forgotten the meaning of the Christmas spirit. Christmas is now so commercialized and modernized that it loses all its magic.”
Ogre Jarv Willette, long called a “barkeater,” was the provider of the weekly recipe, which was an exotic dish of beaver. He said it tastes a lot like goose. A former student at Grand Valley State College is heading out to work with the Merchant Marine on Lake Superior this winter.
The Covenant Players will be guest artists at the United Church of Wayland and United Methodist Church for a two-part holiday presentation.
The Wayland High School band, under the direction of Steve Working, will present the musical part of Clement C. Moore’s poem “The Night Before Christmas.”
Wayland Union Schools Director of Finance Lorraine Koloseik has been awarded the official title of Registered Business Official after meeting the official requirements.
The Rev. “Ding” Telling will be guest artist at the Berean Bible Church in Moline, presenting a variety of drawings.
Editor-Publisher Irvin Helmey, Phil Reno, Bill Mauchmar and Ed Longstreet entertained students at St. Therese School as the Terrible Troubadors musical group.
The Hopkins girls’ varsity basketball team captured the regional championship by edging North Muskegon 47-45, the Vikings’ first regional hoops crown since 1949. Kerry Kastner paced the offensive attack with 18 points, Jenny Niemczyk had 15 and Sue Maher 10. The coach is Ellen Penhorwood.
The Wayland boys’ basketball team got off to a rough start with losses to Wyoming Lee and Delton.
Sports writer David T. Young predicted that the worst Wayland will do in the O-K Blue Conference will be third behind Comstock Park and Byron Center. The Wildcats, coached by Rick Tokarchick, blew out Godwin Heights 57-10 in their season debut.
Junior Tom Pawloski scored 21 points, but Hopkins fell to Allendale on the hardcourt, 78-69.
Martin showed quality defense and few turnovers in a season-opening victory at home against Lawrence. Robert Vandenberg had 15 points.
Mike Baldiga rolled an impressive 646 handicap series for the Ogres A team in league action in Grand Rapids.
The grand opening of the Dorr branch of the Wayland State Bank was held. Branch manager is Arthur Miller. First two customers were Reinder Hoeksema and Mrs. Richard “Rusty” Dutkiewicz.
Nearly 1,300 people attended the Wayland Community Choir’s presentation of George Frederick Handel’s “The Messiah.” Helen Gambee was the choir director.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 15, 1950
George Hazen died at the Wayland Feed Mill, dropping dead after paying his bill. He was 73.
Hopkins High School senior Charles Tiller was elected president of the Barkenall Conference Student Council. He also is president of the senior class at Hopkins and editor of the school newspaper.
The Rev. John Steenwyk has announced he is leaving his post at Dorr Christian Reformed Church after four years to take a position with the Muskegon Heights Christian Reformed Church.
Because of an early freeze, ice fishermen are taken advantage and good catches are being reported, Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his weekly “Observations” column.
Wayland native Dr. Deyo Fox, director of practical arts and vocational education at Western Michigan College, died at his home. He was 54. He was a graduate of Wayland High School.
Hopkins correspondent Lena Martin reported the Hopkins High School band will have a concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 14. “Give these students a good audience. They deserve it.”
Ray Krause now is living in the Kenneth Willard cottage after suffering injuries in a traffic crash near the red school house.
Allegan County Judge Harold Weston presented a speech on mental hygiene to the Ladies Library Club. He told members, “Insane or insanity is passe. If the next generation is to have good mental health, parents must teach their children that even when a task must be done, the easiest way is to do it.”
Mrs. H.A. Letson underwent another eye operation and has high hopes of restoring her eyesight.
Kenneth Chrisman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Chrisman, is now home from Blodgett Hospital, where he spent three and a half weeks undergoing surgery.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Valentine Perkins, Robert Rockwell and Danni Sue Nolan in “Prisoners in Petticoats.”
- Roy Rogers, Gordon Jones and Dale Evans in “Trigger, Jr.”
- Joan Caulfield, Robert Cummings and Elsa Lancaster in “The Petty Girl.”
- Jane Wyman, Kirk Douglas and Gertrude Lawrence in “The Glass Menagerie.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 1925
The Wayland High School debate team will debate Martin on the topic of the child labor amendment. Debaters include Clyde Fowler, Carlton Blanchard and Faith Dell.
Wayland stores are beginning to “put on their holiday attire.” Some windows already show attractive gift suggestions.
The organization of a Good Fellows Club is being proposed to brighten up the holiday season for needy children.
Wednesday will be the last day for receiving sugar beets. James Levandoski has about three acres still ungathered.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Mary Roberts Rinehart in “K — The Unknown,” adapted from the famous plays. “Cheap Kisses,” starring Cullen Landis. Also, the comedy “The Pacemakers.”
The Anti Can’t will have a holiday bazaar a the Metcalf Furniture Store, with a bake sale included.
The Hon. H.F. Buskirk, John C. Yeakey, Andrew Jackson and his wife, V.S. Fish, John T. Smith, James McKivitte and the three Weber brothers traveled to Chicago to attend the big fat stock show.
Eighteen boys now are enrolled in Wayland High School band.
The Allegan County Drain Commission will have a public hearing on the Morris Drain assessment district in Wayland Township Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The American Legion Auxiliary’s annual bazaar will be Friday and Saturday at the M & W Light and Power Company. There also will be a bake sale.
Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Stroud have returned from a five weeks’ trip visiting the resort towns of Florida. They sold their Stroud equipped automobile and returned home by train. Mr. Stroud will manufacture furniture and camping items in George Ryno’s concrete building in town.
Mrs. Addie Peck and brother George dined on roast duck with their niece, Mrs. Morrice Smith, and family.
